Besiktas set for Conference League playoff clash with Lausanne in Lausanne
Besiktas travel to Lausanne for the first leg of the UEFA Conference League playoff round on Thursday, aiming to push their European campaign deeper into the season. The match kicks off at 9:15 p.m. local time at La Tuiliere Stadium in Lausanne, with Norwegian referee Sigurd Kringstad in charge and assistants Runar Langseth and Ole Andreas Haukasen.
Squad news and injuries
Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the squad is ready for the challenge, with two new signings, Wilfred Ndidi and Taylan Bulut, included on the UEFA list. Ernest Muci is doubtful after an injury in warm-up ahead of last week’s league game against Eyupsor. Defender Mustafa Hekimoglu remains sidelined by injury, while David Jurasek’s status will be clarified before kickoff.
The traveling party to Switzerland includes Mert Gunok, Ersin Destanoglu, Emre Bilgin, Emir Yasar, Jonas Svensson, Gabriel Paulista, Felix Uduokhai, Necip Uysal, Taylan Bulut, Tayyip Talha Sanuc, David Jurasek, Emirhan Topcu and Serkan Emrecan Terzi, among others. Besiktas departed Istanbul from Sabiha Gokcen Airport on a chartered flight at 11:00 a.m. local time.
Probable starting XI (4-2-3-1)
– GK: Mert Gunok
– RB: Jonas Svensson
– CB: Gabriel Paulista
– CB: Felix Uduokhai
– LB: David Jurasek
– CDM: Wilfred Ndidi
– CDM: Necip Uysal
– RM: Orkun Kokcu
– CAM: Joao Mario
– LM: Rafa Silva
– ST: Tammy Abraham
Recent form and context
Besiktas have won three straight games across European and domestic action, bouncing back from two losses to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League and then beating St. Patrick’s in both legs of the Conference League third qualifying round, while also a league win over Eyupspor.
Lausanne’s route to the playoff
Lausanne began their Conference League campaign in the second qualifying round, progressing past North Macedonia’s Vardar and Kazakhstan’s Astana to reach the playoff stage and earn the clash with Besiktas.
Besiktas in European competition
This Thursday’s match marks Besiktas’ 257th European appearance. The club holds a record of 97 wins, 49 draws and 110 losses, with 347 goals scored and 393 conceded across all European competitions. In the UEFA Europa Conference League, Besiktas have played 14 matches with 9 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses so far this competition, and this tie will be their 15th Conference League fixture overall. It will also be Besiktas’ seventh meeting with a Swiss side in European play.
Coach Solskjaer’s perspective
Solskjaer stressed the importance of imposing Besiktas’ style on Lausanne: “We are ready for Thursday. Lausanne is strong and well-organized, but we want to play our football and make them adapt to us. We’ve analyzed their strengths and feel confident in our approach.” He also noted the synthetic turf at La Tuiliere Stadium will require some tactical adjustments, with the team aiming to play faster and more technical football to suit the surface.
Ndidi’s outlook
New signing Wilfred Ndidi expressed enthusiasm ahead of his Besiktas debut in Europe: “We are ready and excited. I am fully fit and feel good about my adaptation to the team. I’m confident we can deliver a strong performance and make a positive impact.”
Summary
Besiktas head into a pivotal playoff tie in Lausanne with a blend of experienced European firepower and fresh signings, looking to translate domestic momentum into continental success. Lausanne have earned their place in the playoff after progressing through early rounds, and the stage is set for a tightly contested first leg under the artificial surface of La Tuiliere Stadium. The outcome could hinge on Besiktas’ ability to impose their tempo and adapt quickly to the home turf.
What to watch
– Ndidi’s impact in breaking up play and driving the ball forward from midfield.
– The adaptation to the synthetic surface and how it affects pressing and build-up.
– Tammy Abraham’s role in Besiktas’ attacking setup and whether his link with the creative midfielders clicks against Lausanne’s structured defense.
– Lausanne’s compact shape and counter-attacking potential as they bid to take a favorable result back to Istanbul.
Overall outlook
With Solskjaer aiming to enforce Besiktas’ philosophy and Ndidi eager to make a mark, the tie promises a competitive, high-energy clash that could shape the tie in the return leg. A positive result away from home would set the tone for a strong European push in the latter stages of the Conference League.